Land promotion
Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.
Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.

The best place to develop your career
We’re one of the largest and most experienced land promotion businesses in the sector. You’ll be joining a brilliant team, in a successful company with a proven track record in acquiring land and delivering valuable planning consents. We’ve been running for over 125 years and have the values of the Wates family behind us. It’s a big factor in why we have the best reputation in the business.
We offer lots of opportunities across different roles in a wide range of areas, such as land specialists, who find sites for the business. Other roles include land and planning managers who secure allocations and planning consent once the site is secured. There are also commercial land managers who acquire sites for the logistics sector, technical managers, and accountants.
We have strong development paths for those joining as a graduate and want to support people who are keen to progress. If you’re interested in a particular area, we’ll give you all the help you need to become a specialist. Whatever your ambitions, there are lots of different ways to achieve them. Join us, and we’ll make sure you and your career thrive.

Our people thrive
Whether you have sector experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.
In Land, ideally, we’d like you to have a relevant degree in property, planning, business or geography. Above all, you should have a keen interest in land, planning, and development.
In terms of experience, you might have worked with a property agency, as a consultant, housebuilder, or property developer. The most important thing is you need to be very personable, as it’s all about relationships and contacts. Someone who is externally presentable and can embody what Wates is all about.
Testimonials
Development Management Trainee
"I joined Wates with no prior industry experience, and it has been an incredible journey. Through the graduate scheme I worked in the Project team supporting the promotion of land through planning. I am also an active member of the Wates Women and Allies Steering Committee which I’ve gained invaluable insights from. Wates' dedication to excellence and innovative solutions have accelerated my learning curve while allowing me to expand my professional network. Their supportive culture and emphasis on development have made each challenge manageable and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend Wates for anyone seeking a dynamic career path with growth and opportunity.”
Account Manager
Location: Southampton
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
ACCOUNT MANAGER Wates have excellent opportunity for a technically strong Account Manager to provide operational leadership, technical management, added value and development of our unique client based in Southampton. ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for an Account Manager with experience of working in transferable environment, with strong demonstrable experience of in leading people with experience of managing a multi-diverse team. With a recognised technical qualification and membership to the Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) or equivalent, coupled with solid financial / commercial acumen with experience of running a P&L and ensuring budget is achieved. To be successful in the role you will have strong interpersonal, problem solving and change management skills, and be someone who can demonstrate the ability to balance the integration of the requirements and terms of policies and procedures with those of the client and make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, Senior management. This is a terrific opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. Some of the other Key Accountabilities as Account Manager include: Lead and motivate the WPS team by example and deliver excellence and first class sustainable hard M&E and Fabric service provisions. Provide visible leadership and liase effectively and nurture the relationships with the key client stakeholders. To ensure compliance with all statutory, safety, quality, environmental, security and relevant Wates Professional Standards, creating a Zero Harm culture. Ensuring targets are maintained by the timely upload of compliance certification onto ACT. (Assurance Compliance Tool) Responsible for implementing and safeguarding best practice for commercial activity relating to contract management and managing specialists and suppliers to ensure dynamic MI reporting and that KPI/SLA targets are delivered. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 5% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 22 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Assistant Facilities Manager
Location: Saffron Walden
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
Assistant Facilities ManagerLocation: Cambridgeshire We are looking for a proactive and technically confident Assistant Facilities Manager to support the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of our facilities in Cambridgeshire. This is a key role for someone who can confidently manage contractor activities, support compliance processes, and contribute to the smooth running of a busy, multi‑stakeholder environment.🔧 About the RoleAs Assistant Facilities Manager, you will: Support the Facilities Manager with the delivery of day‑to‑day facilities operations. Assist in reviewing, authorising and managing permits‑to‑work and associated documentation. Ensure contractors are fully inducted, authorised, and working in line with WPS Health & Safety and CDM requirements. Act as a key liaison between Facilities, contractors, and internal stakeholders. Monitor site activities, ensuring safe working practices and high standards of performance. Help maintain FM and permit systems, ensuring information is accurate and up to date. Support audits, inspections, compliance checks, and reporting activities. Suggest improvements to FM processes, systems, and ways of working. Maintain site plans and ensure visibility of all live works and areas of activity.🤝 What We’re Looking ForEssential: Background in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction, or M&E. Working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and CDM. Strong IT skills (Outlook, Excel, Word; experience with FM or permit systems desirable). Confident communicator able to engage with contractors, colleagues, and senior stakeholders. Experience supporting maintenance, compliance, or project activities. Ability to challenge unsafe practices or incomplete documentation confidently and professionally.Desirable: Health & Safety qualifications (NEBOSH, IOSH, or similar). Experience carrying out H&S audits or compliance reviews. Formal technical qualification (Engineering/Construction/M&E). Experience as an Authorised Person in any permit‑related area (e.g., hot work, LOTO, working at height, confined spaces). Membership of a relevant professional body (IOSH/APs/CIOB/RICS). Experience managing multiple works or projects in a live operational environment.🌟 What You’ll Bring Strong communication and collaborative working style Leadership capability and confidence to influence contractors and stakeholders Innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement Results‑driven approach with high personal integrityGiven the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Driver/Labourer
Location: Walton-On-Thames
Job Type: Trades and Labour
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
🚛 Driver / Labourer – Walton‑on‑Thames🏠 Permanent Role – Social Housing / Void PropertiesJoin the WPS Team!Are you hands‑on, reliable and enjoy a role where every day is different?WPS are looking for a Driver/Labourer to support our voids and social housing works across Walton‑on‑Thames.✨ What You’ll Be Doing🔹 Driving the tipper truck to collect and dispose of waste from void properties🔹 Visiting tips / skip yards to safely dispose of waste🔹 Collecting materials from suppliers and delivering them to site🔹 Carrying out garden works, including: -Grass cutting -Hedge trimming -Clearing external rubbish🔹 Assisting inside properties with: -Cleaning duties -Minor handyman tasks🔹 Supporting the team to ensure properties are left safe, clean and ready for works🔧 What We’re Looking For✔️ Full UK driving licence✔️ Comfortable driving a tipper truck✔️ Someone practical, hardworking and willing to muck in✔️ Experience in labouring, gardening or property clearance (preferred, not essential)✔️ A positive attitude and commitment to great service💼 What You’ll Get🌟 Permanent role with a stable, reputable employer🌟 Variety in your day-to-day tasks🌟 Supportive team and opportunities to grow🌟 Being part of work that genuinely improves people’s homesGiven the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Facilities Manager
Location: Saffron Walden
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
Facilities ManagerLocation: Cambridgeshire We are seeking an experienced and proactive Facilities Manager to lead the safe, efficient and compliant delivery of facilities operations across our site in Cambridgeshire.This is a high‑impact role responsible for managing contractor activities, overseeing compliance processes, and driving a strong health & safety culture while ensuring maintenance and project works are delivered on time and to the highest standards.🔧 About the RoleAs Facilities Manager, you will take ownership of site compliance, contractor governance and operational delivery, including: Leading and managing the facilities function, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations across the site. Overseeing the preparation, review, authorisation and monitoring of permits‑to‑work and associated compliance documentation. Ensuring contractors are properly inducted, authorised and working in line with WPS Health & Safety, CDM and statutory requirements. Acting as the primary liaison between contractors, FM teams and internal stakeholders. Monitoring on‑site works to ensure safety, quality and performance standards are met, including sub‑contractor activity. Managing electronic FM or permit‑to‑work systems, ensuring accurate data, uptime and accessibility. Leading reviews of documentation (RAMS, CPP, and safety plans) to confirm suitability and sufficiency before works commence. Conducting or overseeing audits, inspections and performance checks, identifying trends and areas for improvement. Maintaining up‑to‑date site plans, highlighting all live works, access restrictions and high‑risk areas. Driving continuous improvement across systems, processes and contractor onboarding. Supporting the successful delivery of maintenance and project works, ensuring safe, timely and cost‑effective outcomes. Playing a key role in achieving FM KPIs and ensuring the site remains compliant, efficient and well‑managed.🤝 What We’re Looking ForEssential: Background in Engineering, Construction, M&E or Facilities Management with experience managing permit‑to‑work or compliance processes. Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and CDM. Proven experience with Quality, Safety, Health & Environmental systems. Strong understanding of statutory compliance, regulations and standards. Confident IT skills (Outlook, Excel, Word) with experience of document management or permit systems (e.g., Aconex, Buzzsaw, or similar). Experience managing both large and small‑scale FM or construction projects. Strong organisational, leadership and motivational skills. Experience conducting audits, inspections or health & safety reviews. NEBOSH General/Construction Certificate (or similar).Desirable: Formal qualification in Engineering, Construction or an M&E discipline. Authorised Person experience in areas such as: hot works, confined spaces, electrical, LOTO, working at height, pressure systems, etc. Membership of IOSH, APS, CIOB, RICS or another relevant professional body.🌟 What You’ll Bring Clear, confident communication skills across all levels. Strong collaboration and relationship‑building capability. Leadership presence with the ability to influence and guide contractors and internal teams. Innovative mindset and comfort challenging unsafe or non‑compliant practices. Results‑driven approach with integrity, professionalism and attention to detail. A personable, solutions‑focused attitude with a “can‑do” approach to teamwork.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting